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Putin Rejected Sukhoi Superjets
The Tu-334 jets have been finally chosen for flights of the president and other top-ranked bureaucrats of Russia, prevailing over Sukhoi’s Superjets and An-148s of Russia’s-Ukrainian make, RBC Daily reported.
The government will acquire six short-distance jets, four Tu-334-100s with VIP cabins and two jets for the guards, in the layout equipped with special units and providing for the government call. The jets will replace obsolete Il-62s and Tu-154s in the state fleet.
According to RBC Daily, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin rejected Superjet of Sukhoi, as 80 percent of its parts are of foreign make. Besides, this jet hasn’t been operated so far and its commercial production has been always shelved.
An-148 was turned down in the wake of the scandal in Ukraine. There, local policymakers accused its producers of betraying Ukraine by transferring design documentation to Russia for commercial production.
Tu-334 isn’t ideal either; the problem of its commercial production is still unsolved; no more than three Tu-334s will be produced in 2008 and 2009.
Tu-334 turbojet is capable of carrying 102 passengers to the distance of up to 3,150 kilometers; its first flight was made far back in 1999. Two pilot Tu-334s have been manufactured to-date. In basic layout, Tu-334 costs $25 million.
www.kommersant.com
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